Aldi's $9B U.S. Blitz Aims for Grocery Dominance

Discount grocer Aldi is launching a major U.S. expansion, investing $9 billion to open more than 180 new stores in 2026 and overhaul its digital experience. The move is a direct response to surging consumer demand and accelerates the company's push to become the third-largest grocer in the nation by store count.

• Planting the flag: The expansion blitz will push Aldi into its 40th state, Maine, and kicks off a five-year plan to enter Colorado. The company is also cementing its foothold in western markets by adding 10 new stores in Phoenix and doubling its Las Vegas footprint by 2030. The push also involves converting around 80 locations from its recent Southeastern Grocers acquisition.

• Feeding the machine: The growth is fueled by a massive influx of shoppers, with 17 million new customers walking Aldi's aisles in 2025 alone. To keep shelves stocked across this growing empire, the company is building three new distribution centers in Florida, Arizona, and Colorado, slated to open between 2027 and 2029. "One in three U.S. households shopped at ALDI this past year," said Aldi U.S. CEO Atty McGrath, "and in 2026 we’re focused on making it even easier for customers to shop our aisles first."

Aldi's strategy is a direct challenge to larger rivals like Kroger and Walmart, betting that a combination of low prices, a no-frills shopping experience, and an expanding physical and digital footprint will continue to win over budget-conscious American consumers. The strategy is clearly working: Aldi’s foot traffic jumped 8% in 2025, a growth rate that left the rest of the grocery sector in the dust. The expansion is part of a long-term strategy to reshape its U.S. presence. Beyond just adding stores, the company has also been focused on strengthening its brand, including a major rebrand of its private-label products to build customer loyalty.